Okanagan College in Kelowna, B.C., is set to more than double the number of students living on campus at the start of the next fall semester. The college is nearing completion of a new student housing building at the corner of K.L.O. Road and Campus West Road, which will add 216 rooms to the existing 144 rooms at Skaha Place. The government is praised for taking action to address the challenge of finding safe, secure, and affordable housing close to campus for students. This new development is part of a larger initiative to build more on-campus student housing beds, with over 7,700 beds already built in the past seven years and plans for an additional 4,000 beds in the future.
The six-storey student housing building at Okanagan College in Kelowna includes elements of mass timber and features unique design elements created by two well-known Indigenous artists. Artist Les Louis, an Okanagan College alumnus from the Lower Similkameen Band, designed story pole designs near the interior entrance, creating a warm and welcoming space for students. Syilx artist Clint George’s feather sculpture is incorporated into the building’s exterior solar shades, representing the Indigenous culture and heritage of the region. Okanagan College works with Indigenous communities and artists to acknowledge the Nations on whose traditional territory the college sites are located.
In addition to the new student housing building in Kelowna, Okanagan College is also opening its first-ever on-campus student housing facilities in Vernon and Salmon Arm this fall. Construction of 100 rooms in Vernon and 60 rooms in Salmon Arm is almost complete, and all three new buildings will be available for students to move in by September. Applications are currently being accepted from interested students for these new facilities. The college is committed to providing students with on-campus housing options to allow them to live where they learn, focus on their studies, and lessen the pressure on the local rental market.
The government’s Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, Lisa Beare, acknowledges the importance of solving the housing challenge for students and creating a conducive environment for learning. By building on-campus student housing, students can have easy access to campus facilities and support services, while also experiencing a sense of community and connection with their peers. The development of more on-campus housing beds not only benefits the students but also contributes to relieving the rental market pressure in the local community, as students have the option to live on campus rather than competing for limited rental accommodations.
The collaboration between Okanagan College and Indigenous artists highlights the importance of recognizing and respecting the Indigenous culture and heritage of the region. Through the incorporation of Indigenous artwork and design elements, the college aims to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students, regardless of their background. The artwork serves as a representation of the diverse cultures and histories that coexist in the region, acknowledging the traditional territories of the Syilx, Secwépemc, Ktunaxa, and Sinixt Nations on which the college sites are situated.
Overall, the expansion of student housing at Okanagan College in Kelowna, along with the opening of on-campus housing facilities in Vernon and Salmon Arm, demonstrates the commitment of the college and the government to providing students with safe, secure, and affordable housing options. By creating a supportive and inclusive environment for students to live and learn, Okanagan College aims to enhance the overall educational experience and well-being of its student community. The incorporation of Indigenous artwork and design elements in the new student housing buildings further showcases the college’s dedication to acknowledging and respecting the Indigenous cultures and histories of the region.
